Tony Pratt, shoreline administrator for the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, speaks about the dune at a recent Bethany Beach Town Council meeting.

Written by

Wallace McKelvey
Staff Writer

BETHANY BEACH -- Since Delaware's beaches were not declared a disaster area in the wake of Tropical Storm Ida, officials said beach replenishment is unlikely to be completed before the start of the summer season.

Tony Pratt, shoreline administrator for the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, said coastal communities should lobby their federal representatives to include an earmark for replenishment funding in next year's budget.

"There's little heart, political will, to protect the infrastructure already built," he said. "The beaches are part of ...